U.S. Cities Ban Roundup and Other Glyphosate Products

In 2015, the World Health Organization reported that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer, was “likely carcinogenic to humans.” Since that report, at least three juries have found that glyphosate contributed to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnoses in plaintiffs that brought lawsuits against Monsanto.

Since then, consumer safety advocates have criticized the continued sale and use of Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicide products in the United States.

Bayer, the German multinational pharmaceutical company that purchased Monsanto in 2018, denies that glyphosate has any connection to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also long reported that glyphosate is “safe” to humans. However, the EPA studies did not consider the elevated occupational exposure levels commonly experienced by workers who apply Roundup consistently as part of their job.

Seattle, WA: Latest city to restrict glyphosate use

Despite the conflicting opinions about the toxicity of glyphosate, some cities have taken a proactive stance to protect their citizens. In August 2019, the mayor of Seattle signed an executive order restricting the use of glyphosate-based products by city employees. According to the manager of the Seattle Parks and Recreation department, the ban stems from the department’s concern that it may be putting its employees who apply glyphosate herbicides at an unnecessary risk of health problems.

The Seattle executive order limits the use of glyphosate to only the worst weeds that the state requires Seattle to remove. Seattle is not, however, the first city to restrict the use of glyphosate-based glyphosate-based weed killer – nor will it be the last. Last year, Portland, Maine, banned glyphosate use, and Austin, Texas, severely limited it. Miami, Los Angeles, and Boston now limit the use of glyphosate by city workers (though Boston does so on an unofficial basis).

As more studies and reports come out potentially strengthening the known connection between glyphosate-based weed killers and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma sub-types, experts anticipate to see more and more cities restricting its use. Like asbestos before it, national bans on glyphosate may be very slow. The United States government (and U.S. companies) knew of the dangers of occupational exposure to asbestos decades before the first laws were passed banning its use in certain manufacturing processes.

Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma? Contact us today for a free Roundup case review

If you have been diagnosed with any sub-type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or lymphomatic leukemia after being exposed to Roundup or other glyphosate-based weed killers, you should talk to an experienced Roundup lawyer to discuss your possible options.